CHAPTER: 5 MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN THE FAR EAST

Chapter 5
Read & Listen

A: Focus on READING, sharing and presentation

Reading tasks for sharing and presentation

1.
The Chinese dream versus the American dream: What are the key differences? **
This article looks at the key differences between the Chinese Dream and the American Dream, both from a historical and cultural angle, and considers whether the Chinese Dream will grant China true prosperity in the future.
Read the article here, for example, and present your findings.
1,087 words

2.
West 'looking for China to play greater role' *
The West is expecting China, under its new leadership, to play a greater world role as Beijing's involvement is essential in resolving the economic downturn and creating new order for the global financial system, according to former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard.
Read the article here, for example, and present your findings.
390 words

Entrepreneuring, Zian, China (Ruth Flensted)

3.
India to out-trade America by 2050 *
Asian nations are on the rise with world trade, a new report says, and emerging markets in the East are expected to overcome advanced economies by the middle of the century.
A report released by Citi today projects that world trade internationally will grow to ten times what it was last year by 2050. Citi expects China to overtake the US to become the world's largest trader by 2015 and will remain there until at least 2050, they predict.
The big surprise, however, is that India - not even in the top 10 of the largest world traders today - will make a leap towards the top. The report predicts that India will be the world's second largest trader by 2050, knocking America down to third place.
Read the article here, for example, and present your findings.
358 words

4.
How young entrepreneurs bring hope and enterprise to India **
Each year, several hundred young Indians cross their vast country by rail, developing ideas for new enterprises designed to create jobs and foster development - and offering a model for other countries that wish to promote youth entrepreneurship.
Read the article here, for example, and present your findings.
870 words

5.
Multinationals turn to entrepreneurs for a foothold in emerging markets **
Some of the world's biggest companies are hoping to expand their businesses by helping new entrepreneurs in emerging markets. The approach may sound at first like an inflated corporate social responsibility initiative, but for such companies as Ernst & Young, SAP, Dell, Coca-Cola and others, connecting with aggressive start-ups actually improves their own bottom line.
Read the article here, for example, and present your findings.
967 words

6.
A new Dell initiative asks women entrepreneurs to give back *
Want to know how a society - in the developing world especially - really ticks? Ask the women.
From Nairobi to New Guinea, women have long served as the family's primary caretaker - cooking, cleaning and supplies gathering. They're also increasingly the family's breadwinner.
Read the article here, for example, and present your findings.
578 words

B: Focus on LISTENING, summarising and commentary

Listening tasks for comprehension, summaries and discussion

A.
Is China the next superpower?
CaspianReport - 07:11
Many people see China's strength mainly in its economy, and although China's economy now ranks as the second largest in the world, its per capita income is still roughly 10 times lower than that of Japan and the United States. Due to the low standard of living China is forced to export. And that's what the Chinese economy is, an export-oriented economic system. This has made China overwhelmingly dependent on consumers in the West. So is China the next superpower?
Go to this link, for example. Listen to this personal perspective on the subject and account for China's dilemmas. Add your personal opinion.

B.
China's young entrepreneurs setting the pace
CCTV NEWS - 03:01
At age 24, Yin is the founder and CEO of China's largest microfilm sharing website. Liu Yan, 26, is putting on her first art show. She created yidianer.com, an online gallery for young artists. They represent a new generation of university graduates in China taking advantage of their youth and the country's entrepreneurial environment.
Go to this link, for example.
Listen to the video and account for the careers of Yin Xing Lian and Liu Yan. Comment on Yin Xing Lian's view that young adults have an advantage especially with the development of the Internet and new media because they have fresh new ideas. Add your personal opinion.

C.
India – is economy superpower country?
Rohan.India.USA.Nicolina - 09:47
India – Most exciting business country in the world?
Go to this link, for example.
Listen to the video and account for India's business strengths within cars, banking & finance, bio technology, telecom, renewable energy and retail, among other things. What is the relationship between India and Africa? Comment on the title of this video: India – is economy superpower country? - India – most exciting business country in the world? Add your personal opinion.

D.
China and India compared
MultiShotput - 02:42
Bridging Asia: China or India - Who will be ahead in 2030?
Go to this link, for example. Listen to the video and account for the comparison between India and China – differences as well as similarities. Add your personal opinion.

E.
Brightest people leaving America - Blame killings, taxes, high crime rates and poor education
Alun Hill - 03:04
As a result of rising crime rates, higher taxes, more people being put to death by the Government in prisons and wars, rising education costs combined with lowering schooling standards, America is rapidly losing their brightest people.
Go to this link, for example.
Listen to the video and account for the change in the concept of the 'land of opportunity' for entrepreneurs, the reasons for this change and its consequences. Add your personal opinion.

F.
The American brain drain
RT - 07:29
While the economy of the United States continues to shrink, India and China's economies are growing. Many highly skilled immigrants are deciding to leave the United States and heading home because of better job opportunities and advancement. Experts predict that in the next five years 500,000 Indian and 500,000 Chinese immigrants will leave the United States. How will that impact the American economy? Chinese and Indian entrepreneurs have produced thousands of jobs in the United States and created major centres of technological innovation like Silicon Valley and Google.
Go to this link, for example.
Listen to the video and account for the issue of the American brain drain, the reasons for it and its consequences. Add your personal opinion.

G.
Top American graduates heading to India for employment
RT - 06:25
Breaking tradition, top American graduates are heading to India to find jobs and opportunity. Many believe that having experience in India is an important addition to their resumé in this increasingly globalised world. Some say that it's easier to find a good job in India than in the United States, as India's economy is growing while the US economy is predicted to shrink within the next year.
Go to this link, for example.
Listen to the video and account for the reverse brain drain and the reasons for it. Add your personal opinion.